Romance

November 18, 2017 | admin

Romance

Weddings and honeymoons are a billion dollar industry for tourism worldwide, Thailand is a significant player in this market, emerging as one of Asia’s most popular destinations and one of the World’s top destinations for romantic travel.

Widely known as the ‘Land of Smiles’, Thailand ticks all the boxes as a destination for weddings and honeymoons. From the diverse landscape, beautiful nature, well-preserved historical sites, rich and unique culture, attentive hospitality, variety of activities on offer, delicious food, relaxing massages, accommodation options to suit all likings and budgets, a couple will never be disappointed or run out of ideas of what to do while in Thailand.

Convenient Location

Nestled in the heard of Southeast Asia, the country has long been regarded as the gateway to the region. This means Thailand is a convenient hub for visitors from around the world, therefore allowing wedding guests to arrive with ease. After the wedding, the newly wedded couple and guests can tour the country.

Competitive Prices

Planning a wedding can sometimes become an incredibly stressful and expensive experience. By Choosing Thailand, one can avoid all those organisational and financial worries and strains. Not only is the country known for its attentive and warm hospitality, but with available options at competitive prices, in Thailand one is able to accommodate more luxurious options within their budget.

One Stop for All Arrangements

By selecting a personalised wedding package, a couple will be unburdened from all the stress and worries. Most resorts and wedding venues have their own highly professional, understanding and sociable wedding planners. Big cities like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai offer independent operators who offer full package of tailor-made costumes, pre-wedding photo studios, beauticians, florist, photographers and videographers. Every couple wants to look their best on their wedding day. Being known for its textile and fashion industry, a couple can also have their wedding costume made here, from the Thai traditional outfits, to the classic white gown to their own national outfit. Moreover Bangkok is known for its great valued jewellery stores offering finely crafted precious gemstones of his quality. For a good start, check www.jewelrytradecenter.com

Options of Wedding Style

With Thailand’s diverse ethnic background, a couple can have a traditional Thai, traditional Western, traditional Chinese or traditional Indian wedding in Thailand. A couple can also choose whether to have a Buddhist, Christian or Muslim ceremony.

Options of Wedding Location

Whether you are looking to get married on the beach, in a Buddhist Temple, in a Christian Church, in a private villa, on a boat, or even underwater, wedding planners in Thailand can cater that for you. For a couple looking to exchange vows on a white sandy beach or on a romantic cruise, the East and the South of Thailand have options of location to choose from. Phuket, Ko Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin and Pattaya are the most popular ones and can cater different languages. For lovers of culture and history, we recommend Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre in Ayutthaya offer a traditional Thai wedding ceremony at a traditional Thai house. The package includes a Buddhist religious rite, a procession of the groom’s presents for the bride (Khan Mak), a lustral water pouring ceremony, venue decorations and delicious meals. Closer to the capital, Sampran Riverside features a traditional Thai wedding ceremony package with a wedding procession to an authentic Thai teak house by the river, followed by an outdoor or indoor reception with Thai and western food. The dynamic Bangkok is an all-time favourite wedding destination. The capital has a lot of luxury and boutique hotels and venues, suitable for a wedding: from elaborative Thai teak houses such as Jim Thompson Thai House www.jimthompson.com/Catering/catering.asp , scenic riverfront venues overlooking the Chao Phraya River and the Temple of Dawn such as Sala Rattanakosin www.salaresorts.com/rattanakosin , to outdoor or indoor rooftop venues boasting the spectacular skylines of Bangkok such as Sirocco and Sky Bar at Lebua at State Tower. www.lebua.com/sirocco

Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Surat Thani and Kanchanaburi are ideal if you love tropical mountains and wildlife. For something more unique and adventurous, Trang in the South of Thailand offers the Underwater Wedding Ceremony in the week of Valentines every year. See www.underwaterwedding.com for more information.

Getting Married in Thailand

For information about marriage registration in Thailand, see: http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/doc/info/marriage_steps.pdf There are numerous registered law firms in Thailand who will assist you in registering your Thai marriage.

Visa

Holders of Australian, New Zealand and EU passports do not require a VISA when staying in Thailand for no longer than 30 days. (Thai authority requires at least 6 month validity remaining on the passport.)

Romantic Destinations for Honeymoon and Wedding Anniversary

Nakhon Ratchasima

Khao Yai:

A 2.5-3hr drive northeast of Bangkok, visitors will experience fresh and clean air at Thailand’s first national park. The national park is so fertile with flora and fauna that it has been listed as a World Heritage Site. It is home to wild elephant herds, great hornbills, gibbons, monkeys, tigers, deer, bear and gaur. Several hiking trails follow the migratory paths of wildlife to scenic waterfalls such as Heaw Sawat and to grassy savannahs where elephants roam. Dwarf and barking deer are easily spotted, sometimes even at the campsites. There are a few vineyards and wineries nearby, offering tasty Thai and western dishes to match with their wines e.g. PB Valley, GranMonte. Other attractions and activities in the area include cycling, bird watching, night safari, golfing, a visit to Palio shopping complex, dining at Krua Khao Yai, dining at the Chocolate Factory, etc. Email tatsima@tat.or.th for more information.

Wang Nam Khiao:

This so-called Switzerland of Isan is widely known of its motto “Cool-climate town, abound with mountain ranges, plenty waterfalls, several fruit orchards, vast paradise of fog”. The temperature is comfortably cool all-year round and the air is unbelievably refreshing. The nearby Lam Phra Phloeng Reservoir which is embraced by lofty hills offers spectacular mountain spans and creates a very relaxing atmosphere. Email tatsima@tat.or.th for more information.

Jim Thompson Farm:

Jim Thompson farm provides a unique opportunity for visitors to observe up close and personal the full life cycle of the silkworms and the silk farming process as part of the Isan way of life. Other highlights include a tour of the vegetable plots and ornamental plant nursery. The farm supports eco and cultural tourism which provide happiness and new experiences for visitors and agriculturist of the farm. It welcomes visitors every day from December to the beginning of January. A great variety of delicious fresh fruits and organically-grown vegetables come into season at this time of year. In addition to cut flowers and ornamental plants, a selection of fresh, high quality, organic vegetables and fruits and wholesome farm-made snack foods are also available on sale at the farm. Check www.jimthompsonfarm.com for details and opening dates.

Trat

Trat is Thailand’s eastern-most province, bordering Cambodia, and can be reached with either a 4hr drive or 1hr flight from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. There are over 50 large and small islands, including those of Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park, one of Thailand’s top ‘get away from it all’ island destinations. Neighboring islands feature unspoiled coral reefs, and mainland Trat offers delightful scenery and a number of natural attractions for lovers of the outdoors. Ko Kood is the second largest island of Trat. Being further away from the mainland, the island has a very serene atmosphere with fresh air, very clear water and white sandy beaches. Trat islands offer tranquil hideouts for beach and naturelovers and most resorts here have their own wellness spas. Email tattrat@tat.or.th for more information.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Old City:

Thailand’s “Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai, is a cultural and natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, a multitude of attractions and welcoming hospitality. It was the capital of the prosperous Lanna Kingdom and the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. Nowadays Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to experience both historical and modern Thai culture coexisting: the moat-encircled old city features centuries-old pagodas and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. Just a short drive from town, visitors can go trekking, river rafting, visiting hill tribe villages or the Royal Agricultural Projects. There are so many things to see and do in Chiang Mai e.g. one of Thailand’s best markets, Varoros; many cooking schools; wellness spas; a variety of handicrafts workshops; various cultural performances; etc. The two traditional festivals of Songkran (Thai New Year, celebrated between 13-15 April) and Loi Krathong (ancient Simese New Year, celebrated on the full moon night of 12th Lunar month, which often falls in November) will make the visit a more memorable one.

Mon Cham in Chiang Mai province:

Mon Cham is located on a hill ridge in Mae Rim district, 40min drive from Chiang Mai town. The area was previously an Opium farm, until the Royal Agricultural Project took over. Highlights here include several viewpoints with spectacular views, the serenity, the hill tribal village and the Royal Project. The weather up here gets chilly all year around with beautiful sea fog/ sea mist covering the valley in the early morning. The best time to visit Mon Cham is from October to February when the temperature is cool and most of the flowers are blooming. For more information, see www.thairoyalprojecttour.com or email tatchmai@tat.or.th

Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang:

Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang is located at an average point of 1,400m above sea level in Fang district, Chiang Mai province. The agricultural station covers 318.24 hectare, 9 villages with 4 tribes of people. The area has cool weather all through the year with an average temperature of 17c and the lowest (usually in January) of -3c. This is Thailand’s main agricultural research station for temperate fruits, flowers, medicinal plants such as peaches, pears, persimmon, kiwifruit, blueberry, strawberry, roses, begonia, azalea and herbs. Various kinds of bamboo, tea, linseed and wheat are also grown here. In terms of sustainable tourism, Angkhang Royal Project Development
Center provides training to the villagers about food safety, handicraft work and how to be a local guide. The most beautiful time to visit is when Wild Himalayan Cherry is blooming (usually in January-February) as the hills will be pink everywhere.

With such a diverse range of attractions and an equally grand selection of dining and accommodation options, Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy the ultimate Thailand holiday. For more information, email tatchmai@tat.or.th

Mae Hong Son

Mae Hong Son province in the North of Thailand features rugged, mist enshrouded mountains where isolated tribal villages await exploration. The atmosphere is so romantic that Mae Hong Son is certainly a dream-come-true destination for many lovers. It is known for the Burmese and Lanna style temples, hot springs, hill tribe villages, trekking, rafting, national parks, the annual Poi Sang Long or Novice Ordination and even an annual reggae festival. Due to the cold temperature, the period between November and February is the high tourist season for this area.

Suggested attractions in Mae Hong Son include:

Pai:

Pai is a small town in a picturesque valley in Mae Hong Son. Pai features spectacular scenery, numerous hill tribe communities, and adventurous activities.

Pang Oung:

Pang Oung is a pretty and serene lake in a valley glittering with sunlight surrounded by mountain ranges. The area has an incredibly soothing atmosphere and draws comparison to Switzerland and New Zealand. Ruam Thai village or Ruk Thai village serves aromatic coffee and tea amidst exquisite flower gardens. Rafting in the lake is the best and relaxing way to admire the spectacular scenery. Pang Oung can be visited all year, though winter is very highly recommended for its unique beauty.

Doi Mae U Kho:

The first breeze of winter (usually in November) is the best time to visit Doi Mae U Kho with Dok Bua Tong (wild sunflowers) blooms painting the entire hilly area in brilliant yellow. The best time to visit is November – December. The long and windy roads up and down the hills allow visitors to embrace the 360 degree scenic view. Email tatmhs@tat.or.th for more information.

Phuket

Phuket is an all-time favourite for overseas tourists to Thailand, and the best known destination in Thailand among Australians. Its variety of attractions and activities means everyone can find what they like in Phuket.

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular destinations for wedding and honeymoon couples. From a romantic dinner by the beach, watching the sunset over the sea from the high cliff, cruising around in a private yacht, scuba diving, a private cooking class, a spa treatment, to exploring the colonial architecture of Phuket Old Town on foot … Phuket always impresses visitors with something different. Being one of the most developed tourist destinations in Thailand, Phuket offers accommodations and tourist attractions to suit all types of visitors; from the super-luxury pool villas with personal butlers to the budget-constraint hostels. Our recommended beaches include Patong, Karon and Kata for those who prefer to be close to all the entertainment; Nai Harn, Mai Khao and Nai Thon for those who prefer quiet atmosphere; and Cape Panwa for those who look for luxury accommodations with great sea view and do not mind the distance to town. Many accommodations offer kid’s club so parents can have some time off for themselves. For more information, contact tatphket@tat.or.th

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi province, 2.5hr drive west of Bangkok, is known for its national parks of dense jungle with a lot of waterfalls and caves and the world-renowned Burma Railway or the Death Railway, built by WWII prisoners of war. Visitors looking for a peaceful and romantic atmosphere have options of floating accommodations along the River Kwai, from floating rafts to luxury floating villas. Visitors looking for something more adventurous may camp in the national park. More information on Thailand national parks can be found at www.dnp.go.th. More information about Kanchanaburi, please contact tel. +66 3451 1200, +66 3451 2500 or email tatkan@tat.or.th, tourismkan@gmail.com

Mon Cham in Chiang Mai province:

Cool Season: Nov – Feb with average lower temp of 20 oC – high 32 oC Rainy Season*: Jun – Oct with average temp of 29 oC Summer Season: Mar – May with average temp of 34 oC On the Andaman Coast (Phang-Nga, Phuket, Krabi (Ko Phi Phi), Trang) the green season is between June and October, therefore travellers may experience rain or afternoon thunderstorms during this period. On the Gulf of Thailand West Coast (Petchaburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), Surat Thani (Ko Samui), Nakhon Si Thammarat) the green season is between November and February. For scuba divers, the best time to go is between March and October. For the Gulf of Thailand East Coast (Chonburi, Trat) the best time to go is between March and September as there is less rainfall. Thailand enjoys a mostly tropical hot and humid climate due to its location.

Interesting Wedding Festivals in Thailand

1. Baba (Peranakan) Wedding Festival in Phuket

The Peranakan, or Straits Chinese people, also known in Phuket as Baba, are the descendants of Chinese immigrants who came to Phuket to seek a new and better life back in the 19th century. This wedding style showcases elaborated costumes and accessories, venue decorations, parade and Chinese influenced traditions. It is held every year (around May-June) at some of Phuket’s most elegant Sino-Portuguese mansions located in the old town quarter, including the Hongyok Mansion on Thepkrasattri Road, Thai Hua Museum on Thalang Road and the Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant Phuket (the former Phuket governor’s Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion). Any wedding couples who are interested in being part of this mass wedding can find more information at Thai Peranakan Association at http://phuketbaba.com/ or contact TAT Phuket at tel. +66 7621 1036, +66 7621 2213, Email tatphket@tat.or.th

2. Wedding and marriage registration on the back of the elephant in Surin

One of the most uniquely Siamese ways to get married is known as the “Sut Tae Ritual” and this can be experienced at the Elephant Study Centre in the Tha Tum district of Surin. Activities include a wedding ceremony and marriage registration on elephant back for a group of brides and grooms, the procession of the groom’s parents, a parade of female dancers, a parade of long drums, and a parade of the groom’s elephants. See the ancient wedding ceremony in the style of the Kuai people and take photos of the historic scene of Thailand’s greatest marriage registration on elephant back. This unique mass wedding is organised every year in mid-February. Wedding couples who wish to participate in this annual mass wedding should contact TAT Surin at tel. +66 4451 4447-8 or email tatsurin@tat.or.th

3. Underwater Wedding Festival in Trang

Back in 1996 on a Valentine’s Day, Trang had introduced the 1st eco-tourism event “Returning the Natural Beauty to Coral Reef” which eventually became one of the world’s famous events among lovers called “Underwater Wedding”. In addition to the marriage registration under the water, this underwater wedding ceremony promotes an exotic traditional Thai wedding culture to foreign wedding couples, divers, and tourists from all over the world. The ceremony consists of Buddhism ritual and the traditional Thai wedding ceremony of pouring lustre water, and the escort the brides and grooms to their honeymoon suites by old happily-married couple in accordance with the long belief to bring peace and long-lasting relationship as well as the eternity of love to the bridal couples. Visit www.underwaterwedding.com for more information.

4. Wedding Ceremony at Red Lotus Sea in Udon Thani

Udon Thani is inviting the public to celebrate Valentine’s Day at a mass wedding ceremony at the province’s romantic Red Lotus Sea in the Kum Pavapi District. The event is held annually between February 14 and 15. This mass wedding ceremony is organised by the Udon Thani Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with TAT Udon Thani, and Thai Tourism Promotion Association Udon Thani.

At the ceremony, couples will be treated to a specially-arranged city tour on beautifully-decorated tram, and will have the chance to pay homage to Udon Thani’s holy beings. The couples will be given consent to enter into marriage in wrist-binding ceremony, uniquely to Thai-Isan culture. Marriage registration will also be organised for the couples among millions of red lotus at the wetlands of Kum Pavapi reservoir and Nong Han pond. The Red Lotus Sea is an extremely romantic place for romantic partners, married couples and honeymooners. It is not only Udon Thani’s scenic tourist attraction but has also been considered by CNN to be one of the world’s 15 most peculiar lakes. For more information, contact: TAT Udon Thani Office at tel. +66 4232 5406-7, email tatudon@tat.or.th or contact Udon Thani Chamber of Commerce at tel. +66 4224 3666, www.udonechamber.com

5. Love on the Must See Mountain in Chumphon

On Valentine’s Day, Chumphon province in the South organises the “Love on the Must See Mountain’ event encouraging loving couples to tie the knot by signing official marriage certificate at the scenic viewpoint of Must See Mountain in Chumphon. As part of the ceremony, there is an activity to ask for good blessings from the province’s famous Guan Yin status. Contact TAT Chumhon Office at tel: +66 7750 1831, +66 7750 2775-6 or email tatchumphon@tat.or.th for more information.

6. Power of Love at Ko Phangan

Every year the famous Ko Phangan in Surat Thani will stage the ‘Power of Love’ activity as part of the Valentine’s celebrations. There will be group wedding ceremonies along with many other activities to promote tourism of Ko Phangan including the Romantic Beach decoration contest under the theme ‘Phangan-Island of Power, Energised by the Moon. Contact TAT Surat Thani at tel: +66 7728 8817-9 or email tatsurat@tat.or.th for more details.

7. Love Festival at Srinakarin Dam in Kanchanaburi

The Valentine’s celebrations at the famous Srinakarin Dam on the Kwai Yai River, in Si Sawat district, Kanchanaburi is aimed to strengthen romantic relations among couples as well as to extend their love to the environment and local communities. Couples who join the activities will have the chance to take part in green and community-based activities to instill the love of nature and boost up the sense of environmental conservation. Participants are also allowed to get into the Rajanurak Learning Centre and the Srinakarin Power Plant through a specially-organised educational tour programme. Contact TAT Kanchanaburi Office at tel: +66 3451 1200 or email tatkan@tat.or.th, tourismkan@gmail.com

8. Term Rak-Kin Lom-Hom Sai in Prachuab Khirikhan

On February 14, Pranburi beach in Prachuab Khirikhan will be made romantic with the floral decorations and memorable activities for loving couples to join in on environmental preservation and health-related activities. The night will be filled up with the sound of tidal waves under the moon coupled with sweet music. Contact TAT Prachuab Khitikhan at tel. +66 3251 3885, +66 3251 3854 or email tatprachuap@tat.or.th

9. Wedding on horse-drawn carriage in Lampang

Lampang, the charming quiet city in the North of Thailand known for its horse-drawn carriage, celebrates the festival of love in February by organising the wedding ceremony on horse-drawn carriage. The bridal couples will be paraded on the beautifully-decorated horse-drawn carriages from Lampang Railway Station to Central Plaza Lampang where they will join the Thai-style wedding ceremony. Contact Lampang Horse-drawn Carriage Association at tel +66 5431 8809 or contact tatchmai@tat.or.th for more information.

10. Abseiling Wedding in Prachin Buri

On February 13-14, loving couples looking for unique and adventurous way to celebrate their wedding can abseil from the 60m Weluwan Cliff in Thap Lan National Park, Prachin Buri and register a marriage there. This event was named “Banthuek Rak Klang Phupha” (Inscribing Love at the Cliff). Abseiling Wedding consists of two days. The first day is for “Wiwa Hoen Fa” (Marriage in the Sky) in which the brides and grooms swing the giant swing in turn and the bride on the swing tosses the bouquet to the single ladies below. On the following day, brides and grooms register their marriages and exchange rings while abseiling off the sheer cliff. For more information, please contact TAT Nakhon Nayok at tel.+66 37 312 282, +66 37 312 284 or email tatnayok@tat.or.th